Flashback: My first days in France (Part 3)

I am browsing through my archive of photos when I realized that I have not seen the whole of Paris just yet. In addition, I failed to take photos of some of the landmarks that I have seen and as a result, I am not readily able to blog about them. Instead, I will have to stick with the sites that I do have photos of and share with you some information that I know or have researched about.

To continue the theme of this series of blog posts, let me share with you the photos of Galeries La Fayette---one of the famous shopping galeries in Paris. While Paris is known for many things including art and architecture, food, and fashion to name a few; the art of shopping in the city continues to lure tourists all over the world.

Shopping in Paris is not like in any other cosmopolitan city. For one, Paris is the headquarters of big fashion houses and haute couture designers. On the other hand,you can also enjoy shopping in quaint boutiques althroughout the city which cater to almost any style, taste, and budget.

Given the limited time of tourists, they tend to flock to Galeries Lafayette (or Au Printemps). For one, they can buy their favorite designer brands here (clothes, accessories, cosmetics, etc and all tax-free of course) as well as shop for affordable fashions. Second, they can sample the wide array of French food including chocolates that can be purchased in the said gallery. Third, they have access to free exhibits that are sometimes housed here. Not to mention, they get to enjoy the beautiful architecture of Galeries Lafayette that is a constant reminder to shoppers that shopping in Paris is unlike any other!

Come to think of it, that pretty much sums up all the reasons why you came to Paris.

The beginnings of this French landmark can be traced way back in 1893 and due to the huge success of the novelty shop that started it all, it expanded it's area in 1896 and in 1905. In 1906, renowned architect Georges Cheddane and later with the help of Ferdinant Chanut, redesigned the store's layout. Throughout it's lifespan, Galeries Lafayette has been a venue of a number of events and has undergone countless restorations and improvement.

Did You Know?

• On January 19, 1919, a Gaudron G3 airplane landed on the terrace of the gallery after a 25 000 francs reward was promised to anyone who could successfully land a plane there. This feat was seen again on July 4,1948 by a different pilot.
• In 1950, Edith Piaf sang to the crowd at Galeries Lafayette.
• In 1980, a Festival of fashion took place here and was attended by a crowd of 50 000.
• In June 2001, the Mogador escalator of the gallery was modernised and was able to extend to the rooftop.

Galeries Lafayette

Paris Haussmann 40, boulevard Haussmann75009 PARIS
M-Sat. 9.30 am - 8.00 pm
Th-until 9.00 pm
Sun.-closed
Metro: Chaussée d'Antin La Fayette
RER : Auber
Phone : 01 42 82 34 56

For Special Store Hours, visit http://www2.galerieslafayette.com/international/goFolder.do?f=home_en&lang=en

Sources:
Galeries Lafayette. http://www.galeries-lafayette-paris.com/
National Geographic Traveler: France. 2nd ed. 2007. Published by the National Geographic Society. Washington, D.C. USA.

Galeries Lafayette. http://www2.galerieslafayette.com/international/goFolder.do?f=history_en&lang=en&fontLang=null

Flashback: My first days in France (Part 2)

I find it amusing that I am trying to reminisce about my first days in France to be able to continue my blog about it. Since I already published the first part of what I think will be a series, I might as well continue what I started.

One of the first places I went to upon arriving in France, was the Jardin du Luxembourg. My friend, who also happens to be my roommate, brought me there because she had a tough time at work and needed to unwind. Apparently, hanging out in the park was a common way of spending time to relax here in France and the French has in fact made it a way of life.

There are numerous wrought-iron chairs scattered throughout the park, and the French, locals and tourists alike are able to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the place. Having taken these pictures during the onset of spring in France, I was lucky to get a good dose of sunshine. It was a bright sunny day, and albeit the occasional cold gust of wind, people flocked to the garden to enjoy the warm rays of the sun.


Amidst the flower beds and lush areas of grass are fountains, small ponds, and monuments scattered all-over the park. Moreover, statues of French queens, saints, and various sculptured work also add charm to the surrounding main area of the garden.

The upkeep of the garden is superb, and who would have thought that it was initially completed in 1625, and has kept it's present area of land since 1790. It was Marie de Medicis who had the Palais and the Garden built as her residence after her husband, Henri IV was assassinated. As of date, the Fontaine Medicis (located in the garden but not in the photos) is said to be all that was left of the original grotto built in 1630.

The photo below shows the Palais du Luxembourg which houses the Senate and is located in the vicinity of the said jardin/garden. The said palais is open to the locals and tourists alike who wish to witness public hearings. The Musee du Luxembourg like the Palais du Luxembourg is located along rue de vaugirard.

The Jardin du Luxembourg is located in the 6th arrondissement (district) of Paris and can be found along the streets of Boulevard St.Michel, Rue du Vaugirard, Rue Auguste-Comte, and Rue Guynemer.

Jardin du Luxembourg
7.30 am - 8.15 pm

Palais du Luxembourg
15 rue de vaugirard
Phone: 0331 42 34 20 00

Musee du Luxembourg
19 rue du vaugirard
Metro: Odeon / RER: Luxembourg
Phone: 01 42 34 25 95
M,F 10.30 am - 10 pm / T,TH, Sat. 10.30 am - 7 pm / Sun. 9 am - 7 pm


Sources:
Luxembourg Gardens. http://www.pps.org/great_public_spaces/one?public_place_id=39
Paris For You: Walking guide for discovering paris 2008-2009. Published by Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Sleepless in Paris: Lucky stars

Waiting for something to happen is hard enough, and knowing that luck or fate may play a crucial part in it is even scarier. I am more convinced of this after I finished watching Woody Allen's movie Match Point. The movie begins with an explanation of the game of life and a game of tennis, where there is a moment when the ball hits the net and for a brief period of suspense you don't know if it will go forward or backward---and "if you're lucky it goes forward."

As soon as I finished typing the intro paragraph to this blog post however, I remember my recent bible study sessions and how blessedness is emphasized. We are taught about how faith influences the events in our lives, and why things we usually attribute to luck are actually referred to as blessings from the Lord.

We often ask: "Did I just get lucky or is there a purpose to all of this?"; or "Is there a reason behind this bad case of luck?". Either way, we wonder if luck is all there is to having or not having our way through life.

If I were to blog on a Christian point of view, I will eliminate luck in the equation and I will replace it with God's favor. However, I am not about to further confuse myself and get lost in a web of explanation.

All that I am sure at this very second, is that I can't seem to get any sleep and I feel the need to add something to this blog and the first thing that popped in my head is this topic.

Nonetheless, I leave you with a hanging question: If you don't believe in luck, will you still be interested in betting on the Lotto?

Learning About Matters of Faith

I interrupt my normal blogging ways, with a sharing of my own personal struggle with my new-found faith. It was an ordinary Sunday in the Golden Palace (the name given by the owner of the flat to his place) when I opened my big mouth and commented about how a friend of mine reacted towards my comment on his Facebook status. I suggested that he bring a bible while he waits for his wife to emerge from childbirth.

What people probably don't know, which I myself did not understand until today is that when you are falling in love with the Lord (or are already in love with him), you tend to speak about him and say things that are in a way related to your new-found faith. I have been hearing people in my new Christian family give praise to the Lord on a regular basis, and it does rub off on me.

Here I am, on my bed, thinking and trying to reflect on what just happened a few minutes ago. While my friend felt that I was being judgmental about another person's faith and belief, I cannot help but feel judged as well for being thought to have judged someone. Ironic is it not?

I have two points to share about this situation: first, as a newbie in religion matters and in my new-found faith, I am adjusting to this new feeling of being in love. When you are in love, you tend to exalt and give praises to the person you are in love with it. In this case, I am falling in love with the Lord, and making comments related to my faith may be far too complex than I expected it to be. I don't say things about or related to my faith because I feel that I am a better person because of it or that my faith is better. No, no, no. Again, the best way to explain this is with the idea of falling in love or being in love.

Secondly, when does something qualify as a judgment anyways? I ask this hoping to understand it as well. You give an opinion about a normal topic, and you don't sound judgmental. However, when it is matter of faith do the rules change? Or is it something variable, depending on how and what you said, and how other people perceive it to be? Communication has always been a two-way thing, and both the sender and the receiver of the message can have different interpretations.

Have you ever said something, and felt nothing sure about how you felt about what you said? Have you ever felt that as you were saying the words, your brain is processing the meaning of what you were saying and your heart does not know what it feels about what you are saying and what you were thinking?

Today, I was taken off guard not knowing how to react and what exactly went through my head. I do not remember how I felt about what I was saying either, because to be quite honest I was still processing things as well.

I used to be the type of person who had an opinion about everything it seems. However, life had a way of humbling me the past few years and I now often find myself asking so many questions about so many things.

Since I am changing, and I recognize the need to change as I grow more in God's word, I will try to apply the teachings of our pastor. In Sunday mass today, we were told that to take offense easily signifies spiritual immaturity and selfishness. I cannot elaborate on this as I am not in a position to do so. In any case, I shall apply it to myself.

Lastly, I must remind myself to be careful with matters that pertain to faith as others may perceive it in a different light. It may be "sad" that people may not always understand each other because of the difference in opinions and beliefs, but maybe this is just what it is...something I find "sad" and it does not in any way mean anything other than that.

Flashback: My first days in France (Part 1)

It has been awhile since I first arrived here in France, and yet I still remember how I felt and how I struggled to adjust to life here.

My plane landed on CDG Airport last April 28, and I remember how eager I was to get my luggages and go and see if my friend was there to pick me up. The unloading of the luggages from the plane took awhile, and I remember seeing my luggages on the conveyor belt pass by me once before I was able to position myself between the other passengers who were as eager to get their own luggages. Alas, I was able to get my two heavy luggages and put them on the trolley.

Little did I know that I will have my first taste of adventure in France as soon as I stepped out of the airport. I only had so little pocket money with me so budgeting it as soon as I landed was a priority that was hard to ignore. My friend suggested that we take the RER (pronounced as: er-ou-er) to get to Paris, and take the connecting metro from there. It sounded like a good idea, since the RER ticket from CDG airport to Paris only costs 8 EU each and a Metro ticket costs 1.60 EU each. Compare that to a 50 EU rental for a car, or more if you decide to take a taxi.

What I did not know was that taking the RER and the Metro would entail lifting my two (weighing approx. 23 kg. each) luggages up and down the stairs while we transfer lines from the RER and within the Metro stations. We took a minimum of three lines total, and that equaled to even more stairs (some stations had 2-3 flights of stairs).

To make the long story short, I had a backache by the time we reached our destination but even this was not enough to dampen my spirits. My adrenalin was high and as soon as we were able to take a nap (my friend had to as well since she took the night bus to CDG and waited for my flight to arrive that morning), I was given my first tour of Paris. The first stop was the Eiffel Tower or Tour Eiffel in French.

The photo above shows Ecole Militaire which is is just across the Eiffel Tower.

On our way to the Latin Quarter

If my memory serves me right, we proceeded to the Latin Quarter in search for a Chinese resto since I was craving for Chinese. Little did I know at that time that the Notre Dame was just a stone-throw away from where we were. This is why, I saw the Pantheon first before I got to see the Notre Dame.

Having studied Interior Design, seeing the Panteon was a must on my first day and I must say that I was not disappointed.

Changing Scenes

After being conscious with how my English skills are starting to deteriorate here in France, I started making an effort to use it more and I believe it is all coming back to me now. Lately, I have also had more time (not to mention more space!) for myself. We found a charming appartment in Paris, owned by an artist, and so far living here has been therapeutic.

From time to time, I ask myself why I am here instead of Canada, and why I was given this opportunity. Lately, I am more convinced that everything does happen for a purpose, and even chance encounters are not just mere coincidences.

Meanwhile, I do get to enjoy my life here from time to time, despite having so little to live with. It is still a great feeling to be in an adventure and knowing that you are able to survive---so far! I do recognize that apart from my friends and kind-hearted indiviuals who lend a helping hand every now and then, someone up there is indeed watching over me. I have been taking care of my spiritual wellbeing by attending a Christian group's bible study and sunday worship services.

Pardon the sudden shift in this blog, initially I wanted a blog that would feature my travels and adventures in foreign land and albeit my intention to continue this path; I can't help but share my personal struggles and emotions in this one big adventure called life.

I do wish that as you read through the pages of this blog, and as I reread my own writing; you'll be able to relate to me and maybe also find this blog as a worthy escape from your own troubles.

I will be browsing through my personal collection of photos and maybe share with you some sights that I have visited in my last few months of stay here in France.